Mining Properties (DetailsTextual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2008	Mar. 31, 2006 oz	Dec. 31, 2008 oz	Dec. 31, 2011 mi	Jan. 24, 2008	Mar. 28, 2006	May 23, 2005	Apr. 30, 2002 Martha [Member]	May 31, 2005 Endeavor [Member]	May 23, 2005 Endeavor [Member] oz	Nov. 30, 2007 Joaquin Project - Argentina [Member] ha acre	Dec. 31, 2011 Joaquin Project - Argentina [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment (Textual) [Abstract]
Acquisition of interest in mine								100.00%
Quantity of acquired silver production and reserves										17,700,000
Acquisition cost of silver production and reserves									$ 44.0
Amount paid by CDE Australia to Cobar at closing										15.4
Amount CDE Australia agreed to pay Cobar upon receipt of a confirmation report										26.5
Operating cost contribution for each ounce of payable silver										1.00
Percent of amount payable towards Commitment of additional operating cost contribution										50.00%
Amount payable for additional ounces of proven and probable silver										2.1
Commenced exploration area											28,450
Equivalent Commenced exploration area in Acres											70,300
Participating and managing equity interest												51.00%
Increase in Participating and managing equity interest				61.00%
Mining Properties (Textual) [Abstract]
Distance of Lynn Canal from mines (in miles)				45
Silver production and reserves payable ounces		20,000,000
Minimum amount per ounce towards Commitment of additional operating cost contribution							5.23
Additional cost contribution per ounce							0.25
Cumulative ounces of silver received by CDE Australia			2,000,000
Increased silver price-sharing threshold per ounce						7.00
Additional payment made on fulfillment of plant performance criteria	$ 26.2
Rate of interest on additional payment					7.50%
Received payable ounces to date			3,600,000
Current ore reserve payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms			3,900,000